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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A symbol indicating to play loud.






2. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.






3. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






4. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






5. The major and minor keys that share the same notes in that key.For example: A minor shares the same note as C major.






6. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






7. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






8. A combination of two or more staves on which all the notes are vertically aligned and performed simultaneously in differing registers and instruments.






9. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






10. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






11. The first violin in an orchestra.






12. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






13. Sliding between two notes.






14. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






15. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






16. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






17. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






18. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






19. A symbol indicating to play loud.






20. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






21. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






22. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






23. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






24. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






25. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






26. A short piece originally preceded by a more substantial work - also an orchestral introduction to opera - however not lengthy enough to be considered an overture.






27. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






28. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






29. Pertains to tone or tones.






30. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






31. Unmusical - without tone.






32. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






33. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






34. Where the musical themes and melodies are developed - written in sonata form.






35. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






36. A reprise.






37. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






38. Closing section of a movement.






39. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






40. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






41. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






42. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






43. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






44. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






45. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






46. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






47. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






48. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.






49. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






50. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.